So my violin... it has a lot of scratches on the varnish mostly on the edges. I'm really sad about this, even though they all appeared nearly 2 years ago... it also makes the appearance so ugly! Also, there's a noticeable difference in color on the top of my violin...most of it is shiny and but a noticeable section is dull? Maybe it's rosin damage? I'm not sure. I've asked my school teacher if it was possibly to fix the varnish but he said no... is there really no way to save my violin? I suppose it's just cosmetic scratches, because my sound hasn't been affected.. but I really would like to know if there's a way to improve the appearance! Thank you!

Is there a music shop nearby with a technician? Youd be better of asking there, since s/he would have to do it. Id assume that they would strip the old varnish off and put new on?

If the dull area is under the strings (and around that area) it's proably rosin, so make sure you wipe it gently with a clean dry soft cloth after you play.

Violin polish will help a little with the old rosin and the scratches (so they don't show up too much), but don't use furniture polish or wax etc - wait till you get a chance to get some from a violin shop, and ask their advice too.

But scratches aren't bad - just tell yourself that every scratch your violin got was one scratchy sound less in your playing!

Depending on what the instrument is and how much it is worth, I would recommend letting a luthier clean it up for you and touch in the scratches at the same time.

I've tried the so-called 'violin cleaner' liquid myself and believe me, it's far more difficult to use than you might imagine. Rub too hard and you start lifting the varnish surface. Don't rub hard enough and the cleaner forms a dull hue that doesn't appear to want to come off!

In the meantime, make sure you dust under the strings, fingerboard and tailpice after playing. This will prevent any further build up of rosin. Regrettably, many students think rosin dust left on the violin looks cool and gives the impression that they are always practicing. In reality, the dust becomes a sticky glue that gradually bonds itself to the varnish. It can, in time and given enough build up, actually affect the tone of the instrument.

if the scratches have gone through to the wood you can rub a brazil nut on them to lessen their appearance (even make some magically disappear!) providing you havn't put any polish/varnish on it since the scratch (the polish would seal the crack, preventing the nut oil from getting on it).

if the scratch is only through the varnish then i'm sorry, i don't have any suggestions!